Darien Forest Reduces Border Crossings by 41%, Panama Benefits from Deal with the US

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on December 12 called on President-elect Donald Trump to continue funding the program to deport illegal migrants through the Darien jungle to find their way to the United States.

The Darien Forest, a 265-km stretch between Colombia and Panama, is considered a "main corridor" for migrants from South America to the US because it is cheaper than traveling by sea. (Source: CNN)

Speaking at a press conference the same day, President Mulino said Panama is still implementing a program to repatriate illegal migrants based on a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on this issue signed with the administration of President Joe Biden in July.

Mr. Mulino expressed confidence that the program would continue under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, and said he had not yet had any formal conversations on the subject with Mr. Trump's team.

In July 2024, Panama and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding, in which Washington pledged to fund $6 million for flights to repatriate illegal migrants. Since August, the Central American country has conducted 36 flights to bring more than 1,000 illegal border crossers to Colombia, Ecuador, and India.

According to statistics, more than 299,400 migrants have crossed the Darien jungle to find their way to the United States since the beginning of the year. This is a 41% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/rung-darien-giam-41-nguoi-vuot-bien-panama-huong-loi-tu-thoa-thuan-voi-my-297228.html